Who wins the Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury rematch?
Unbeaten heavyweights clash once more for the WBC heavyweight bauble and The Ring Magazine belt on February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
BBN asked their panel of experts consisting of professional boxers, trainers, managers, and promoters who they believe will win the eagerly anticipated rematch between WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder and bitter rival Tyson Fury on February 22 in Las Vegas.
Paul Stevenson
Head Coach at Everton Red Triangle
“Wilder shows again and again how dangerous he is right up until the last bell. Fury did surprisingly well last time out in getting the draw but he plays with fire a little bit defensively and that’s what cost him the result in the first fight as well as getting him knocked out along the way although he somehow woke up again.
I see the plan for Fury being to box Wilder with a ton of caution and movement which he’s shown he’s capable of doing and to look for a points win. The plan for Wilder being to cut the ring and set up his big shots but to stay close and busy enough to not let Fury get too far ahead on the cards in case he fails to find the big ones.
It’s a very close matchup and difficult to separate them, can Fury avoid Wilder's big shots all night? Can Wilder make the offensive tweaks necessary to find Fury with his good shots consistently?
I’ll go with a later rounds KO win for the champion or a close points win.”
Frank Warren
Promoter
"I actually do think Tyson will stop him but, having said that, I don't see Wilder doing anythig differently than he did in the first fight, albeit he is a dangerous sod.
I see Tyson comprehensively out-boxing him this time around before either stopping him or winning on points by a wide margin."
Sam Jones
Boxing Matchmaker
"Tyson Fury won the last one quite comfortably on points; he only lost two of the 12 rounds.
This time it’s a different fight, I think Tyson will be better and I think Wilder will be better too.
Wilder knows he can hurt Fury and Fury knows he can comprehensively outbox Wilder, so we’re in for a real cracker but I am going for Tyson Fury to win via unanimous points decision."
Monty Ogilvie
Scottish title contender
"I think Fury will box the head off Wilder this time around and get the decision.
Historically speaking, boxers always fair better in rematches over punchers so I think Fury will have adapted more and secure the win this time."
Mark Tibbs
Boxing Coach
"Have to back Fury. But there’s vulnerability and a one punch KO artist in play.
Fury should busy up the time, Wilder’s looking to tee off in an offensive manner, so give it to Wilder more often than sticking, fainting and flicking, be more calculated but offensive, always behind that lead and shoulder, change that height to whack 'em in downstairs…
He’ll dance if he has to, yeah I back the Brit."
Dmitriy Salita
Promoter
"Great fight and I believe will be more exciting then the first!
The key ingredient to victory is Sugarhill Stewart an addition to Tyson’s corner. I know Sugarhill very well as he trained me and works with many of the fighters I promote. I remember when Tyson Fury came to train at the Kronk gym in 2010, that style of boxing is perfect for him and I believe will pay dividends in Tyson’s fight vs Wilder on February 22nd."
Sergio Michel
American singer/songwriter and boxing superfan
"The Wilder vs Fury 2 fight is the biggest and most important heavyweight fight since the 1990s. Especially now that the Lineal/Ring belt is now back in play, this is historic.
Not much can be said, Wilder's great eraser vs the best Fury ever. Who will win, who knows? I saw the judges being wrong, with Fury winning part one. In this one, I favor Fury personally for his speed, agility and boxing technique."
Ryan Walsh
British featherweight champion
"Fury will win on points, his style is all wrong for Wilder. He won’t land better punches than he did in the first fight and even if he did Fury has proved he has unbelievable recuperative powers.
I'm also hoping justice will be served after the first fight, plus an all British heavyweight world title fight should be a no-brainer."
Matt Marsh
British super-bantamweight champion
"I think Wilder will come out with more aggression, looking for the stoppage, but I think that will work in Fury's advantage and it will be a points win for Fury."
Ben Day
Southern Area champion
"I think Tyson Fury can do it again. I think he will outbox Wilder but I would like him to plant his feet and sit on his shots a bit more with more spite, hit and move – that’s all he has to do.
Wilder seemed to work out Fury’s timing and movement towards the end of the fight and that’s what I’m worried about. Just stay clear of that murderous right hand and Fury will get the win."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"A lot of people are saying that Wilder will have the confidence to put Fury down earlier by closing him down quicker. However I think it works the other way, I believe Fury will know he should have won the last fight and will have the know-how and belief to be more commanding from the start!"
Steve Wood
Promoter
"Think this is a nice simple one that does not need much studying, either Tyson outboxes him for an easy points win or walks on to one and is knocked out.
I’m going Tyson points."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
“Classic Boxer vs Puncher match-up. In my opinion, Tyson Fury is technically brilliant and Deontay Wilder is technically awful. Although that lack of technique becomes an awkwardness that creates just as many problems. His punches create devastation from all types of angles and ranges.
Fury could outbox him for the full 12 rounds, like he did in the first fight, but Wilder has a raw power to be able to score a knockout punch at any time. He has 'get out of jail' power and he has been trailing behind in many fights but still found a way to win.
For Fury to win this fight, you’d imagine it would have to go the distance. For Fury to last 36 minutes with the world’s hardest hitter, you would have your fingers crossed for the entire fight that he doesn’t get knocked down again. There were two knockdowns during their first fight, the second one in the 12th round arguably cost him the decision on the scorecards. Can he go another 12 rounds without touching down this time? History suggests otherwise because, to me, it's not will Wilder land a knockout blow, it's when.
If Fury can outbox Wilder even more than the first fight and stay clear of Wilder's power then he wins handily on points. I, personally, would like to see Fury more aggressive rather than elusive in this fight. I think if he can do everything he did from the first fight in the rematch, but with a bit of added spite and killer instinct, then we could see even Fury win by knockout."
Chris Glover
Professional boxer
"I believe it’ll be a repeat minus the knockdowns. A Tyson Fury points win."
Mick Kane
Boxing Writer
"After the first fight I was confident that Fury would comfortably win a rematch. As time has gone on I'm not so sure now.
The cut Fury received in his fight with Wallin could reopen and be a problem and with Wilder showing in his last couple of fights that he can knock anybody out at any time then Fury will have to be at his best for the whole 12 rounds.
Will Fury be at his best, an unconvincing performance against Wallin followed by the escapades in WWE and now the recent announcement of a new trainer, has Fury been as focused as he should be? I hope so.
Wilder didn't look great in his fight against Ortiz, was probably getting beat then found that big punch once more. I dont see Fury knocking Wilder out as he claims but I wouldnt be shocked if Wilder did knock out Fury.
I hope Fury does it, it would cap a remarkable turn around for Fury and he is undoubtedly the most skilful heavyweight. I'm going for Fury on points setting up a trilogy."
Jordan Neild
BBN Writer
“I think Wilder will win inside the distance.
Fury at his best has the tools to beat Deontay Wilder but I think his opportunity was when they met in December 2018. He could well win every second of the fight but I think at some point Wilder lands and takes him out.
Fury winning would be monumental for boxing in this country but we are looking at one of the biggest punchers in the history of the sport in Deontay Wilder and I’m not sure he will show Fury the same respect he did the first time around."
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"The first fight provided entertainment and drama in a way that few had predicted, so the rematch will be hotly anticipated and generate the type of buzz that will have the attention of casual fans and the mainstream media.
I envision the rematch to follow a similar pattern. Fury using his deft footwork to get in and out of range whilst landing with sneaky jabs and right hand, whilst Wilder attempts to position himself to unleash the kind of devastating, fight-altering assault that has made him the most dangerous man in the heavyweight division.
Although the pattern will remain the same, the tactics of both fighters will be slightly honed.
Many were surprised when ‘The Gypsy King’ parted ways with Ben Davison and teamed up with SugarHill Steward. However, the switch provides us with a clue that perhaps Fury hopes the nephew of the legendary trainer, Emanuel Steward can teach him the secrets from the famous Kronk Gym, that would allow him to land his punches with greater authority. Rather than momentarily deterring Wilder, he will want to hurt him, grind him down and break his heart to end the contest before the twelve rounds elapse. The question is whether he can learn to project such power in a short period of time.
Wilder on the other hand has looked like a man that not only knows his strengths but is now aware and accepting of his deficiencies. He accepts that he lacks the ability to outbox world class heavyweights. He understands that throwing punches off balance or with poor timing only leaves him open to counters that brings encouragement to his opponents. The first fight with Fury looked to have taught him the importance of patience and he displayed that characteristic against the crafty Cuban, Luis Ortiz, during his last outing.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ had lost every round on the scorecards as Ortiz cruised through the first six rounds but Wilder’s patience, poise and unwavering belief was evidence as to why he deserves the status as a heavyweight champion. Despite being thoroughly out-boxed he managed to elude some punishment by blocking punches with his gloves or using his god given athleticism to evade incoming attacks. At times when his defences were exposed and breached, he was able to rely on his sturdy chin to absorb the impact of his opponent’s best shots whilst recovering quickly, remaining composed and sticking with his game-plan.
When the perfect moment presented itself, Wilder exploded into action, flicking out a jab and throwing a thunderous right hand that disconnected Ortiz from his senses and concluded the bout in an abrupt and stunning fashion.
Wilder said it best in his post-fight press conference that his opponents need to be perfect for twelve rounds, but he only needs to be perfect for two seconds.
A change in trainer could provide Fury with impetus and a renewed vigour but the timing of the switch might be disruptive. It could do more harm than good as he attempts to mentally juggle his natural instincts with the new teachings of a trainer that he has worked with for just three months.
Wilder on the other hand is the most in-form heavyweight in the world. He knows who he is as a fighter and is at the peak of his powers with a strategy and style that he has expertly developed.
Fury will enjoy greater moments of success and make Wilder look clumsy whilst banking the majority of the rounds. But at some point, a lapse in concentration will invite Wilder to render Fury’s lead on the scorecards as null and void. Wilder’s ‘two seconds of perfection’ will be enough to supersede all of Fury’s technical superiority that preceded it – and his special brand of sublime savagery will ultimately be decisive in giving him a knockout victory."
Gus Devlin
BBN Writer
"I expect this fight to go the distance again. Will be very interesting to see how Fury approaches with a new trainer, especially how Fury and Sugar Hill jel during the fight and how Fury implements Sugar Hill’s game plan.
I expect a mirror of the first fight and expect Wilder to catch Fury at some point as he always seem to do in every bout.
Although Fury didn’t look his dazzling best in his last fight against Otto Wallin. I expect him to be quick footed as ever trying to evade the bronze bomber’s power shots.
A key part of this fight is the latter stages and Fury split with Ben Davison, an odd one. In the championship rounds you need to heavily rely on your trainer to give you sound advice. Wilder most definitely can do that with Jay Deas but can Fury have the same level of trust with Sugar Hill. I guess only time will tell.
But I’m going with Wilder on points via Majority Decision."
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of buymyfight.com
"I’ll probably change my mind nearer the fight but for now I don’t think Fury will have his revenge, sadly.
I believe Fury is by far the better boxer, but Wilder is the more likely to roll the dice with heavy shots (whether it’s a windmill or a nice straight right like he did against Ortiz). If that happens I don’t think Fury gets up this time."
Jamie Arlain
British Challenge belt champion
"For this one, I go with Wilder in under six rounds, I just feel last time out Wilder underestimated Fury and now he know he's in for a real hard fight."